20/08/2025
HAKAINDE HICHILEMA IS AHEAD!
…. Even in the emergence of a surprise candidate, no one will outpace President Hakainde Hichilema’s popularity….
Political scientists and philosophers have dismissed insinuations that President Hakainde Hichilema will be ousted from office in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
Unlike in previous elections, where a serious indication of change was imminent, currently, we don't have a figurehead ripe to take over government.
There is no real challenger and identifiable contender of President Hichilema going into the 2026 general, and this makes it very easy for the HH to get a landslide victory.
Looking back, despite losing narrowly to Edgar Lungu in 2015, HH maintained momentum into the 2016 elections, losing by less than 100,000 votes and 27,000 votes in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Hakainde Hichilema was a strong identifiable opposition figurehead for 10 years, from 2011 to 2021. It was clear that HH was headed for the presidency, regardless of anyone's perspective.
Edgar Lungu fabricated fake treason charges against HH after his opponent's growing popularity following the disputed 2016 elections.
Historical precedents, such as Michael Sata becoming president after unseating Rupiah Banda in 2011 and emerging as a strong opposition figurehead after coming second in the 2006 elections, indicate that a candidate's momentum can lead to presidency.
In the 1996 elections, President Frederick Chiluba had it very easy as there was no strong political figurehead. Chiluba got 72% of the total vote beating Dean Mug’omba at 12% and Humphrey Mulemba at 6%.
These variables, backed by evidence, suggest it's highly unlikely there will be a change of government in 2026.
President Hakainde Hichilema will have the easiest election win in 2026 and most likely expected to get over 75% per cent of the total vote.
Even if a surprise candidate from the Patriotic Front (PF) or Tonse Alliance were to emerge, outdoing President Hichilema's popularity would be highly unlikely.
The developmental policy measures that President Hakainde Hichilema has taken have cemented his strong position, making it difficult challenge for any opponent to surpass him.
In the last four years, over two million students and pupils have benefited from the introduction of free education, including parents who have made servings through free education.
Over two million parents were spending more to take their children to school, but this huge responsibility has been taken over by the government through the free education policy.
Over 200, 000 youths have graduated from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) skills training programmes, giving them life-time survival skills and making them employable.
Over 100, 000 youths were employed in the civil services, increasing a number of Zambians with disposable income.
Who would dare to think all these beneficiaries would come and vote out a government that has impacted so positively in their lives?
Additionally, political scientists have defended the president's policies, arguing that he has laid a strong foundation that needs no disruption for the country to benefit from the huge returns in the medium and long term.
They point to the increase in foreign reserves, which have grown to over US$4 billion, a first since 2014.
The successful restructuring of the country's debt, which was choking the country’s social spending, is another achievement of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Restricting the unsustainable debt within five years is also a plus on President Hichilema.
There's also the awakening of the mining sector that was mismanaged by the previous regime. More people are being employed in the mining sector due to the sound policies implemented by President Hichilema.
Ignore Emmanuel Mwamba and his propaganda. Ignore Tonse Alliance jokers. Ignore Fred M’membe. As for M'membe, it is difficult to believe he is the one who used to write editorial opinions that shaped political discourse and also shaped public opinion about so many things.
Fred M’membe has only managed to convince two people so far, Brian Hapunda and his fellow comrade Cosmas Musumali.
